Columbus man was beaten after yelling at neighborhood kids, cops say. He died in hospital.
A Columbus man severely beaten Feb. 13 after scolding some neighborhood kids playing basketball in the street died in the hospital after he was taken off life support, authorities said.
Danny Jones, 62, died at Piedmont Columbus Regional at 2:46 p.m. Friday, said Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.
“They took him off life support this morning,” Bryan said.
Police said Jones was driving on Charter Oaks Circle to his Wimbish Court home, in the neighborhood off Weems Road, when he came upon the children playing basketball, and berated them about blocking the street.
The kids reported this to their parents, and a suspect later identified as Darnel Lamar Piett, who is related to one of the players, went to Jones’ home around 5 p.m. and assaulted him, investigators said.
Jones was so seriously injured that he was hospitalized in intensive care with a fractured neck, Bryan said.
Jail records show Piett, 25, was arrested at 4:30 p.m. the following day, and booked into the Muscogee County Jail about 30 minutes later. He was charged with aggravated assault, battery with physical harm and criminal trespass.
Piett had a Columbus Recorder’s Court hearing on Monday. His case was sent to Muscogee Superior Court.
Police were deciding Friday whether to alter Piett’s charges.
“We’re looking into this case being elevated to a higher charge,” said police Maj. J.D. Hawk.
Because Piett already has had a preliminary hearing, changing his charges will not require another one, Hawk said.
This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 4:21 PM.